Philadelphia Benzene Class Action Lawsuit

Long-term exposure to the chemical Benzene has been has been linked to the development of many fatal types of cancer, most notably Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer after exposure to Benzene, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.

What is Benzene?

Benzene is a petroleum product manufactured from coal tar that is used as a component in dozens of industrial and consumer products. It is used primarily as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as a starting material in the synthesis of numerous chemicals, and in gasoline.

What’s the Problem?

Benzene is a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Workers exposed in one accidental release of the chemical (acute), or those exposed to smaller quantities over a longer time period (chronic) may be at risk of injury. Benzene exposure has been linked to the following life-threatening health conditions:

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Aplastic Anemia

Multiple Myeloma

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Acute Lymphocytic (or Lymphoblastic) Leukemia (ALL)

Chronic Myeloid (or Myelogenous) Leukemia (CML)

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)

Bladder Cancer

And more

Benzene and Leukemia

Research has shown that long-term benzene exposure can lead to cancers that start in blood cells, otherwise known as leukemias. With exposures from less than 5 years to more than 30 years, people have developed, and died from, leukemia. Long-term exposure may affect bone marrow and blood production.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

The type of leukemia most often associated with benzene exposure is acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), according to the American Cancer Society. AML is a rapidly-progressing (“acute”) cancer that affects a group of white blood cells called myeloid cells which normally develop into the various types of mature blood cells.

Leukemia Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of acute myelogenous leukemia include:

Weight loss

Fatigue

Fever

Night sweats

Loss of appetite

AML may also be referred to as acute myelocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia.

Who’s at Risk for Benzene Exposure?

Employees that work in industries which use benzene (i.e. chemical plants, rubber tire manufacturing plants, shoe manufacturers, steel production plants, gasoline transportation, refineries) are typically exposed to the highest levels of benzene. Gas station attendants, automobile mechanics, firefighters, printers and lab techs also come into regular contact with the chemical.

The primary way workers are exposed to benzene is by breathing fumes from products that contain the chemical including car exhaust, industrial emissions, glues, oil-based paints, mineral spirits, furniture wax and tobacco smoke.

Benzene Regulations

Because of the dangerous health effects benzene has been linked to, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now regulates benzene in the air and water, as well as emissions by industry. The agency has passed laws to limit the use and release of benzene to minimize exposure to the chemical. Additionally, regulations set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) limit workplace exposure to a maximum of one part benzene per million parts air (ppm), averaged over an 8-­hour workday.

Do I Have a Philadelphia Benzene Class Action Lawsuit?

The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Benzene Exposure Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as across the U.S., and are currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you had benzene poisoning or were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.